Ireland vs Italy LIVE: Women’s Six Nations result and final score as hosts get off the mark with first win
Follow the action from the round 3 clash at Musgrave Park
Ireland Women kick-started their Six Nations campaign with a comfortable 29-8 victory over Italy in Cork. Greg McWilliams’ side, who led 10-3 at half-time, scored four tries at Musgrave Park through Lucy Mulhall, Neve Jones, Eve Higgins and replacement Katie O’Dwyer and were awarded a second-half penalty try.
Hooker Melissa Bettoni went over for Italy’s late consolation try, but Ireland’s first win after defeats to Wales and France was never in doubt.
Beatrice Rigoni’s penalty gave Italy an early lead, but Ireland ran in an outstanding try in the 25th minute, with fly-half Nicole Cronin delivering the final pass out wide for full-back Mulhall to score. Ireland went over for a deserved second try before the interval through hooker Jones and although both tries went unconverted, the Irish made a flying start to the second half.
Centre Higgins gathered scrum-half Kathryn Dane’s kick ahead to race over and Cronin converted to put the home side 17-3 ahead. Ireland moved further ahead when awarded a penalty try in the 52nd minute as Italy were penalised at a five-metre scrum and after Bettoni went over for the visitors, O’Dwyer gathered from a line-out to score the game’s final try.
Scotland vs France: Team news
For the hosts Scotland there are two changes to their starting XV from their defeat to Wales.
Emma Wassell is injured, ending her 54-match ocnsecutive starting run, and so Louise McMillan comes into the second row. And Chloe Rollie returns at full-back.
On the bench, Sarah Law could win her 50th cap if called upon.
Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Megan Gaffney; Helen Nelson, Jenny Maxwell; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Louise McMillan, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (captain), Evie Gallagher, Jade Konkel.
Replacements: Jodie Rettie, Molly Wright, Katie Dougan, Lyndsay O’Donnell, Rachel McLachlan, Caity Mattinson, Sarah Law, Meryl Smith.
France, meanwhile, have made a hug enine changes to their starting line-up.
Jessy Tremouliere starts at fly-half, rather than her preferred full-back, Marine Menager and Chloe Jacquet come in at centres and Marie-Aurelie Castel is back on the wing.
Annaelle Deshaye, Assia Khalfaoui and Celine Ferer start in the front five while Julie Annery and Emeline Gros are put in the back row.
France: Emilie Boulard; Marie-Aurelie Castel, Marine Menager, Chloe Jacquet, Melissande Llorens; Jessy Tremouliere, Laure Sansus; Annaelle Deshaye, Laure Touye, Assia Khalfaoui, Celine Ferer, Madoussou Fall, Julie Annery, Gaelle Hermet (captain), Emeline Gros.
Replacements: Celia Domain, Coco Lindelauf, Clara Joyeux, Safi N’Diaye, Romane Menager, Alexandra Chambon, Morgane Peyronnet, Gabrielle Vernier.
Scotland vs France
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Scotland vs France in round 3 of the 2022 Women’s Six Nations.
Convention suggest that the round 5 between France and Engand in Bayonne will be the title decider in this year’s championship but Les Bleues will be wary of underestimating Scotland.
In 2020, at the very same Scotstoun Stadium that hosts today’s clash between the sides, the Scots snatched a memorable 13-13 draw with France, thanks to Rachel Shankland’s try and Helen Nelson’s conversion.
They would dearly love to notch a similar result in Glasgow today and have shown plenty of flashes of quality in their first two fixtures against England and Wales - even if they ultimately lost those encounters.
So settle in to enjoy some world-class women’s rugby.
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